Daily Prayer_November 15, 2011

The Word of God for wisdom:

Proverbs 15:8 (HCSB)
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Proverbs 15:29 (HCSB)
The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.

The Word of God for inspiration:

Psalm 29:3-4 (HCSB)
³ The voice of the Lord is above the waters. The God of glory thunders— the Lord, above vast waters, ⁴ the voice of the Lord in power, the voice of the Lord in splendor.

The Word of God for encouragement:

Matthew 6:7-8 (HCSB)
⁷ When you pray, don't babble like the idolaters, since they imagine they'll be heard for their many words. ⁸ Don't be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask Him.

My observation:

In our focal passage for today Jesus continues to teach his disciples how to pray. Yesterday's lesson was on secret prayer. Today Jesus addresses the topic of sincerity and simplicity in prayer. We can be specific in our prayers without using superfluous words. God already knows our needs. However, he wants us to pray because he wants to be near us. He wants intimacy rather than information from us. We need to pray because the influence of the Father in us in our times of prayer will change our lives for our good and God's glory. The more we are near him the more we become like him.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I pray that you will give me a hunger and thirst deep in my heart and soul to be near my God in frequent , sincere, and simple prayer. Father, sometimes I need a little talk, and sometimes I need to have a big talk with you. Lord, I need your smile and I need your strength that I get when I am near the side of my Lord in secret prayer.

My song:

Draw Me Nearer (Click on link below to listen to this song):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/387

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My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily
http://www.herbcotton.org
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1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.